Amazing restoration of a grand and historic building, with the quality of the workmanship and surrounding landscaping exceeding any of my prior expectations. This is no Disneyland-esque project, but one which has been completed with immense sympathy to the original design and also in keeping with its setting in a steep sided Pyrenees valley, which is both awe inspiring and despite its scale surprisingly peaceful. We thoroughly enjoyed our two-night stay in the Canfranc Estación Royal Hideaway Hotel and can highly recommend a visit, even if only to have a look. Summary judgements below: Standouts: - The remarkable station building itself and its beautiful valley setting - Great sized bedroom (Deluxe Superior) with window views across the valley and to the peaks above - Friendly staff - “Canfranc Express” experience. Most impressive and delicious multi-course fine dining luncheon in the adjacent restored railway carriages. Must be pre-booked as the “meal event” is coordinated and cooked by a Michelin chef and kitchen staff from nearby one-star Michelin restaurant, Espacio N, whose owner Ana chaperoned the meal and was an amazing sommelier. Could be better: - A new RENFE train station connecting the property (and Canfranc) to the Spanish rail network has been completed but trains were not running at the time of our stay with replacement buses operating twice daily to Huecsa for connecting trains to Zaragoza. This was disappointing as had planned the itinerary to be predominantly a rail trip, with just the still unrenewed section from Bedous to Canfranc in France to be covered by a connecting bus. (Full original itinerary; arrive Lourdes / Tarbes by air then train to Pau (overnight), train from Pau to Bedous with connecting bus to Canfranc (note: both train and bus can be purchased as a single ticket from SNCF Connect with the ticket called “Pass Pau Canfranc” for €12), train from Canfranc to Zaragoza, direct train Zaragoza to San Sebastian for a few nights stay and then departure from San Sebastian by air). Unfortunately, it now appears (September 2023) that the Spanish rail side might be closed for works for a considerable period, so a warning to those like us that were hoping to arrive or depart from Canfranc by train. - As a new luxury property in a fairly remote location, staff training still not perfect and is actively ongoing. Some of the cooked breakfast dishes were disappointing. - English language TV channels were not functioning - In an era of gadgets, there was an insufficient number of in-room electrical sockets.
自動翻訳